UN, donors embolden Farmaajo’s unilateral polls push, says no to September deal relook

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The international community has warned against re-opening of the September elections agreement in Somalia but called for ‘broad understanding’ in what appears to be a rebuke on opposition groups which have called for a relook into the [political deal.

The UN, regional bloc IGAD and other western donors said in a joint statement the doors had closed on negotiations over the September deal emboldening President Mohamed Farmaajo’s unilateral decision to proceed with the elections in select Federal Member States.

“There can be no re-opening of the 17 September Agreement or the creation of an alternative or parallel process,” the statement read in part.

“Broadly inclusive understandings on its implementation are needed to ensure the credibility of this process.’

The statement which was released a day after the Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC) released a statement for negotiation appeared to be a direct response to the concerns raised by the CPC which has called for the establishment of a new framework to guide the process including changes on the electoral zones.

“We call for the establishment of a detailed framework that sanctions a legitimate and fair process for the selection new members of the electoral implementation committees,” CPC said adding that it had identified the names to be expunged for the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET).

CPC added in its letter addressed to the international community Monday that elections take place in the FMS capitals only instead of two zones within FMS as indicated in the September agreement. CPC cited time constraints in light of lapsed elections deadlines.

The 14 member- CPC also urged the international community not to release funds for the elections until agreements are reached.

President Mohamed Farmaajo has since instructed the FIET and their state-level counterparts in FMS headed by his allies to proceed with the elections.